Four injured in plant explosion, fire

Published 11:47 am, Friday, October 2, 2015

Four were injured in an explosion and fire at the SunEdison facility in Pasadena Friday morning.

Four were injured in an explosion and fire at the SunEdison facility in Pasadena Friday morning.

Four injured in plant explosion, fire

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Three of the four employees injured during an explosion and fire at the SunEdison facility in Pasadena were released from the hospital Friday afternoon, according to a plant representative.

It was reported earlier that all four workers injured were in stable condition. The four were injured during a plant explosion and fire Friday morning while conducting maintenance.

According to officials, at approximately 7:54 a.m., silane was released from a line being worked on, leading to a fire, explosion and emissions of silicon dioxide. EMS responded to the scene. The cloud of silicon dioxide was visible offsite, but no other impacts to the public should be expected. The leak had been contained at approximately 9:15 a.m. The fire has been extinguished, and the scene has been secured.

At a press conference Friday morning representatives of SunEdison said four workers were in stable condition following the explosion at the site location at 3000 N. South St. near Beltway 8.

Three workers were transported by ground to the hospital, and one was transported by Life Flight.

”Our focus remains on the safety of our employees and of the community. Of the 4 employees who were injured, 3 have been released from hospital,” Gordon Handelsman, SunEdison Sr. Director, Brand and Corporate Communication, said in an email. “We are continuing to work with authorities in their investigation into the incident. We will share more information when we’re able to.”

The company confirmed there had been a discharge of silicon dioxide, which is a naturally occurring material commonly found in sand.

“We do not believe it will cause an adverse environmental impact,” Handelsman said in an emailed statement.

The fire was contained by on-site Albermarle responders and no shelter-in-place was issued.

According to Pasadena Police Department spokesman Vance Mitchell, a request for two ambulances from Pasadena was issued at about 7:50 a.m.

Houston Community Newspaper news partner abc13 reported that the 42-year-old male worker transported by Life Flight suffered chemical burns to his face and chest.

SunEdison, according to its website, is a global renewable energy company which produces ultrapure granular polysilicon used in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in the production of solar cells and semiconductor circuits.

According to the company website, the plant employs more than 300 workers and sits on 409 acres next to the Houston Ship Channel.